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Halfpenny's Toulon future in doubt
ESPN Staff
September 16, 2014
Leigh Halfpenny's Toulon future is in doubt © PA Photos
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Toulon are weighing up Leigh Halfpenny's long-term future at the club.

Halfpenny signed with Toulon ahead of this season but he is yet to play in the Top 14 for his new side. He picked up a groin injury in pre-season but Boudjellal fears he arrived at the club with it. There are now suggestions Halfpenny may need surgery and alongside Toulon's needs for a kicker, Boudjellal has cast doubt over the fullback's long-term future at the club.

"Today, we must address this issue because we need a world class goal kicker. We're awaiting the medical update," Boudjellal told Varmatin."It would have been another two or three weeks. But the problem that we have now is that we think he may have arrived at Toulon with that injury. Now we have the impression that yes, he was injured when he signed for Toulon.

"If this is the case, we haven't ruled out terminating his contract. We pay enough for players. We don't feel like preparing Halfpenny for Wales just for the Rugby World Cup. We're conducting an investigation. I will know the whys and hows this week."

The news of Halfpenny's uncertain future at Toulon will no doubt cause some interest in Wales. He left the Blues to join Toulon ahead of this season and their chief executive Richard Holland says they would love Halfpenny back at the region if his time in the Top 14 comes to an abrupt end.

"Cardiff Blues offered Leigh Halfpenny a contract prior to his departure to Toulon and of course, we would be interested if he became available, be that on a dual contract or a regional deal." Holland told Wales Online. "We will be speaking to his representatives to find out the state of play regarding his contract situation and we will take things from there.

"We would be extremely keen to have back a player of Leigh's calibre and I am sure it would excite our supporters. If the reports are true, we are keen to explore this."

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